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{March is well under way}

February days are now gone and March has officially kicked in.   I finally purchased a new monthly focus board.  We ventured out for a day date which included a movie. I love our day dates. I will give my honest review about the movie for those interested. I wanted to see this movie as it was based on a true story. I did enjoy the movie but oh my, it was a tear jerker from the get go! It ended good but mercy! Let's just say that I am thankful that no one was sitting close enough to see my tear stained face. I am glad that I saw it but I am good for a while on sad movies, even if they do end good!   My oldest daughter, her husband and their son participated in the Spartan race which is a series of obstacle courses that challenge. They done so well. As you can see from the pictures it gets pretty muddy!  My three daughters participate each year in the Gate River Run. I love it that they do this together. They have so much support & encouragement from all the onlookers. I am just

Tuesday Toots and Recipe for Eggplant-Chicken Parm

I like eggplant parm and I like chicken parm so why not have them together?


I found the recipe from Rachel Ray...YES...my favorite TV cook of all times! But I tweaked her recipe just a tad as I did not have everything that she listed so used what I had. 

Okay, so the Eggplant came straight out of garden....Wash the eggplant, slice the ends off and then cut in 1/4 inch steaks. Rinse well.


Sprinkle a little Kosher salt on the eggplants and then lay out on a paper towel while you prepare your other ingredients.

 I love Kosher Salt and use it for almost everything!

Next, take a small onion, peel, and dice it up. I used 3 cloves of garlic and diced them up.(However fine you want the onion and garlic to be) I like a little "chunk" in my sauce.



Take 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine and 1 tablespoon of olive oil or veggie oil and melt.



Add your onions and garlic to the butter-oil mixture and a pinch of Kosher salt and cook on medium heat covered for about 8-10 minutes until soft. Stir often. THE SMELL IS AWESOME!




Now for your Tomato Basil sauce:

1 regular size can chicken broth
2 cans (regular size) of petite diced tomatoes
1 small can of Rotel chilies and tomatoes
1 med. size can of tomato puree
1 tsp. of basil seasoning. I used fresh basil out of my garden that I had ground up already.
 Mix these items together in another mixing bowl.

  
Now add the tomato mixture to your cooked onions and garlic.I simmered this for about 30 minutes which gave me plenty of time to get the rest of my prep done.



The smell is just heavenly!

Now, take your chicken breast or cutlets and wash and dry. Salt and pepper. **I actually buy large boneless chicken breast when on sale and I slice them in half. That way I get several meals out of them.** If you use thick pieces of chicken breast you will need to pound them to flatten out.


 I winded up with 9 pieces of chicken. This recipe really makes a lot but I shared my good fortune with the family!

Next:
Parsley, basil and rosemary. I used fresh herbs out of my garden and simply just picked, washed and chopped. If you use some that you have harvested and ground or store bought then go with 
1 - 2 teaspoons of each.






  • 1/4 cup flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • - See more at: http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/recipe/12686_Stuffed_Eggplant_and_Chicken_Parm_with_Tomato_Basil_Sauce/index.html#sthash.EPmIPITG.dpuf
     Oops, almost forgot the thyme.



    Next:

    Grab a bowl and pour into it the following:

    1 1/2 cups of Plain bread crumbs
    1 1/2 cups of Panko seasoned or unseasoned bread crumbs
    1 1/2 cups of grated parm. cheese (I used some I already had that I like to cook with that was grated.


    Grated parm cheese



    Now in your dish put all the above in including your spices.



    Mix well.


    Now: I done this in batches since I had 9 eggplant-chicken parm (sandwiches as I call them) to do. Take one bowl and put some flour in it. Then another bowl and mix up three eggs. Like I said, I done this in batches so winded using about 6-7 eggs.So you now have three bowls out...flour, eggs and crumb mixture.





    Take an oblong dish and spray with cooking spray.


    Next: Get your sandwiches made.
    Take a slice of chicken, one slice of mozzarella cheese and a slice of eggplant and make a sandwich. 


    Get your frying pan ready. Add enough oil to fry at least 3 sandwiches at a time.*Around 1/4-1/2 cup of oil* I used veggie oil. 

    Dredge your sandwich in the flour, then coat in eggs and then crumb mixture.Cook on medium to medium high until golden brown. Around 8 minutes. (about 4 minutes per side)

     Good grief they look good don't they?

    Now while you are frying up those bad boys layer some of your tomato sauce that you have cooked with your onions and garlic in your pan. Cover the bottom of the pan.



    After cooking your sandwiches drain on paper towel and let cool. Place your sandwiches on top of the tomato sauce. Drizzle your tomato sauce over the tops of sandwiches and add Sharp shredded cheese on top or whatever type of cheese you like.

    Bake in preheated oven at 350 until cheese is melted good. Maybe 5-7 minutes or so. 


    Get your pasta noodles ready! I used Angel Hair and cooked as directed on package. When cooked drain all water out except for about 1 cup of the water that you cooked the noodles in. Take some of your tomato sauce mixture and add to the noodles with water and toss.



    Place noodles on plate and top with eggplant-chicken sandwich and add a tad of shredded parm. cheese and EAT!



    Who says you can't have eggplant and chicken parm combined?????? 

    Now...I did share this with my girls and it was a hit. My daughter Melissa intended on taking some to work with her the next day but my 3 year grandgirl loved it and barely saved her mama any! 

    Hope you've enjoyed my toot for this week. 

    Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    Comments

    1. Oh my word, my friend! That looks absolutely awesome! Like something you would get in a fancy
      restaurant. Yummy! No wonder your grand girl ate most of it..... I would have, too! HOPE you have an awesome day!

      ReplyDelete
    2. I don't like eggplant but you make this look GREAT!
      Connie Royals

      ReplyDelete
    3. Good Morning Cindy, I am trying to catch up from my time away on vacation. Thank you for stopping by while I was gone.
      Loved this recipe. It looks so yummy and I enjoyed your steps for preparation.
      Also enjoyed seeing your gorgeous daughter's classroom. Love all the educational sections. It surely will keep the kids engaged and have fun learning. Prayers she has a great new school year.

      Have a wonderful day sweet friend.
      Hugs

      ReplyDelete
    4. This recipe looks delicious. I came by your blog after seeing a comment you made on another blog. I looked at your profile pic and thought "she looks like someone I'd enjoy have coffee with."

      ReplyDelete
    5. Mmm!! I would make that without the chicken and love it!!!! I love eggplant parm! I use Kosher salt all of the time too. This looks amazing Cindy!

      ReplyDelete
    6. OMG! I want to go to your house and eat!!! I love eggplant parmesan and your menu sounds awesome! Even your g'girl ate it, mine don't yet, but I bet yours they will! Thanks for the recipe.
      Have a great day sweet lady.
      FABBY

      ReplyDelete
    7. Hi Cindy, this recipe and photos look great! My hubby made eggplant parmesan for me before our son was born. It was a one time treat ;)

      ReplyDelete
    8. Oh my! That is an epic dish to prepare. I fear I am not so dedicated in the kitchen - I like few ingredients and super easy prep. Thankfully, my husband is a brilliant cook - a chef in his younger days before books became his life. I get the fruit of his labors now. Chicken at our house tonight, too.
      Joy!
      Kathy

      ReplyDelete
    9. That sounds so yummy. A dish I would love but sorry to say Mr D doesn't like eggplant! Poor man, doesn't know what he's missing. Maybe I make the dish for our next family gathering! Blessings..

      ReplyDelete
    10. Oh yum...that looks so good!

      ReplyDelete

    Post a Comment

    So glad you stopped by to visit.
    Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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